Stag Statue
Representing majesty and strength, the image of the stag has been part of the School’s history for many years now, from its head proudly positioned atop the School crest, to its silhouette stitched on School swag, to its name attributed to the gold pin awarded each year to staff and students for outstanding service. Rainbow stag stickers, the Stag Cafe, a giant stag painted at the centre of the field hockey pitch, and the stag mascot named Samson – the stag is a well-established iconography of the School.
Arguably, the most majestic of all the stags is the bronze statue that arrived on campus in 1992. It was reported to be a donation from “'an anonymous 'Old Boy'” (“Report Card Newsletter,” 1992), but the School obtained permission from Anton Lecky ’03 (Lake’s) to publicly name his father, John M. S. Lecky ’57 (Groves’) as the generous donor.
The stag was cast in Philadelphia during the mid-1800s, but soon found its way to a chateau in France before eventually going to auction in London and then to Southampton. From there, it travelled by sea to Vancouver before arriving at its new home on the Shawnigan Lake School grounds. In this picture, we see Ray Hollings (bottom right), guiding the statue into place. This must have been one of Ray's more unique challenges in his 39 years as Head of Maintenance. And the process was repeated two more times.
Initially, the stag stood on the west side of the driveway, nestled near the trees. Later, it was moved to the hill on the drive beside Kaye's House across from the tennis courts. Now, standing like a sentinel approximately 120 metres inside the main gates, it greets campus visitors. The plaque that sits at its base best expresses the intention of the statue: “It will watch over all who enter these grounds.”
The information presented in this write-up is based on current information available in the School's Archives and consultation with key people who have some relevant connection to this "object." If you have further information about this "object" that you would like to contribute, please contact the School’s Advancement Office at alumni@shawnigan.ca.
We acknowledge with respect the Coast Salish Peoples on whose traditional lands and waterways we live, learn and play. We are grateful for the opportunity to share in this beautiful region, and we aspire to healthy and respectful relationships with those who have lived on and cared for these lands for millennia.
Shawnigan Lake School is an independent co-educational boarding school for ages 13 –18 on Canada’s beautiful West Coast. Our diverse, interdisciplinary and innovative programming helps shape the next generation of global leaders.
